Each year of marriage has its own traditional material, starting light and growing more precious. Lists vary a little. This is the traditional British one.
The full list
| Year | Gift | An idea |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paper | A framed map of where you met, or tickets to something |
| 2 | Cotton | Good bed linen, or a picnic blanket |
| 3 | Leather | A wallet, a bag, or a photo album |
| 4 | Linen | A linen tablecloth, or a bunch of flowers |
| 5 | Wood | A tree to plant together |
| 6 | Sugar | A box of really good chocolates |
| 7 | Wool | A warm blanket or jumper |
| 8 | Bronze | A small bronze ornament or bookends |
| 9 | Pottery | A handmade vase or mugs |
| 10 | Tin | A tin of their favourite biscuits, with something hidden inside |
| 11 | Steel | A good kitchen knife or a watch |
| 12 | Silk | A silk scarf or tie |
| 13 | Lace | Something trimmed with lace |
| 14 | Ivory | Ivory-coloured flowers or stationery, never the real thing |
| 15 | Crystal | A pair of crystal glasses |
| 20 | China | A teapot, or a set of fine plates |
| 25 | Silver | A silver frame or jewellery |
| 30 | Pearl | Pearl earrings or cufflinks |
| 35 | Coral | Coral-coloured flowers, or a trip to the sea |
| 40 | Ruby | Ruby jewellery, or forty red roses |
| 45 | Sapphire | Sapphire jewellery, or something deep blue |
| 50 | Gold | Gold jewellery, or a party with everyone who was there |
| 55 | Emerald | Emerald jewellery, or a garden day out |
| 60 | Diamond | Diamond jewellery, or a family portrait |
| 65 | Blue sapphire | Something blue and lasting |
| 70 | Platinum | A platinum keepsake, and a very good lunch |
The big ones
Silver at twenty-five, ruby at forty, gold at fifty and diamond at sixty are the anniversaries most people mark with a party. For parents or grandparents, a card from everyone in the family often means more than the gift itself.
A few words for the card
Ten years, two flats, one very patient dog. Happy anniversary. I'd do every bit of it again.
Happy ruby anniversary, Mum and Dad. Forty years of showing us how it's done.
When it's a hard anniversary
If someone has lost their husband or wife, their wedding anniversary can be a lonely day. A short message helps: "Thinking of you both today." Leave out "happy".
